Customer Reviews

Kiddy Grade - Emerging Anew (Vol. 8)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'll try and not include any spoilers....But if you don't want any surprises spoiled please skip...


The Kiddy Grade series started off interesting enough, but ended somewhat rushed. It almost seemed like the producers were planning on making this a 50 episode series but had to cut short because money problems or something. I really liked the 1st 12 episodes.. character developement was good and they seemed like the were taking their time trying to develop the characters. The second half is a mixed bag. It seemed like the the producers were trying to do the plot twist every episode thing (like in gundam Wing) but it just wasn't working. Toward the end I really didn't feel much for the main characters..

1st time I watched this last DVD disk it really didn't leave any impression on me.. a week later I tried to remeber the plot and I couldn't recall anything. I forced myself to watch it again and I remeber the plot now but it was a major let down. Its like they tried to build up the last episode extremely (Earth in danger, doomsday weapon in madman's hands, secrete organization operating in background pulling string..etc) but "Ja Jan!" (eclair's favorite phrase) they just used their mystical "G" class powers and solved all problems... what kind of series ending is that!!

Kiddy Grade has its ups and downs. There's a sort of general consensus that the first eight episodes are kind of pointless and fan-servicey but there's a vague explanation to each of mini-story later, though you have to think about some of them before you see the connection. Then ending, as other reviewers have said, is not so hot either. There are these gigantic plot holes left right and center - as Eclair puts it, "I'm the ES Member who never dies, remember?" - and you may have to watch it a couple of times to keep track of what happened when (but hey, that's why you got the DVD right?).

On the other hand, you've got this fantastic ensemble of characters, a decent conflict with a character based plot and some fast-paced animation that is gripping to watch. Who cares if you can't keep track of who's still alive and who isn't? The characters are irresistible; you get a feeling about what each of them is like without a whole lot of time being spent on character development. They all have a history, and in the end, this is what comes back to haunt them every time.

There are funny moments, there are serious moments, there are sad moments. The voice acting is impecable - I agree with the people who say the English version is more enjoyable than the Japanese, even though it's almost always the other way around. Colleen Clinkerbeard is wonderfully expressive as Eclair. The soundtrack is also great in evoking the mood of whatever situation our heroes happen to be in. A great series, despite plot misgivings and a not quite satisifying ending.

As one other reviewer pointed out, the ending to this series wasn't stellar. However, I don't think he's giving it enough credit. While it could've been better, I can say the same for literally hundreds of other anime, and this one was not the worst, not even by a long shot. So, while I agree that the ending was a bit lacking, the series as a whole was great and definitely worth watching.

I gave this DVD a 4-star rating because of the ending, but all in all I would have to rate the series at somewhere around 4.5 stars. It's that good. It's a great blend of action, comedy, and drama. Sure it contains a mix of a lot of things you'll find in other anime, but so what? It's still fun. The only thing missing is romance (one thing I happen to like in anime) but it's doesn't really detract from how good Kiddy Grade is. Yes there are the occasional plot-holes, as well as the fact that it's a bit fan-servicy in the beginning, but otherwise it's very enjoyable. Take the time to watch it; it's worth it.